Sometimes referred to as coupon etiquette, there are dos and don’ts, rights and wrongs in the latest craze of extreme couponing. Let’s take a look at what some of our couponers have put together as a type of guidelines.
Coupon etiquette
These come from a compilation of complaints from others, and helpful tips on how not to be rude to the complainers. Since you probably won’t be able to use 750 sticks of deodorant before they expire, be sure to always donate your extras, as I know there will be many, to a good cause. Halfway houses, homeless shelters or even sending them to the troops is always a much appreciated gesture. Please don’t treat the store employees as if they are secondhand help employed by none other than you, yourself. The customer isn’t always right. You know it, I know it and even though they’re not supposed to show it… They know it.
Keep in mind that you can and will make mistakes with your coupons. To avoid making those mistakes, the following would be helpful. Be sure that you read the coupon carefully. Every word, every instruction and date. If you have any doubt as to the redemption policies of a store you can either look them up on line or speak to a manager before you get to the checkout counter. Before you get there… just in case you missed that.
If you know you’re going to be buying in large, bulk quantities, check with the manager to see if what you’re buying is still boxed up in the back room rather than depleting the supply he all ready has displayed on the floor. Holding up the line is a major complaint of non coupon people. Shopping during the hours when the store is least busy, being completely and totally organized by the time you get to the checkout and letting others go in front of you if they only have a small amount of items to check out will all go a long way. Always at least attempt to ask for a rain check, should the product you seek not be available anymore. Many stores will extend this courtesy.
The word organization keeps popping up, have you noticed? Organize a coupon swap with some of your friends and/or neighbors. You’d be surprised how many coupons you can exchange with each other for the betterment of both of your next shopping trips. And please don’t steal coupons either from someone else’s newspaper or by grabbing whole handfuls from the little coupon dispensers mounted on the shelves near a product. You can get repeat newspapers on the Internet and sometimes by checking with store owners on Sunday nights right before they close to see if they’ll give you the Sunday papers that they’re going to throw away anyway. On the same line, don’t photocopy coupons. And try not to be disappointed if you don’t end up saving 99% on your total bill. Be happy with 50%, it’s far more realistic. Sales cycles go roughly a dozen weeks, so buying enough to last you that long should cover you until that item is again on sale. This ends today’s tutorial on coupon etiquette.
We’re still saving money
It’s summer and that means vacations. Coupons can be used on vacation just as well as they can be used at home. If you know where you’re going to end up, hop online to check out specials and sales in the area. That information is at your fingertips via the Internet. You can print coupons for restaurants in the area, buy show tickets much cheaper than buying at the last minute, and now you can take advantage of all the bulk items you bought on sale and with a coupon by taking them with you thereby having to buy less while on vacation. There are coupons available through your smart phones and even on face book these days. Just make sure they’re good at the city in which you are staying and not expired. Some rest stops have coupon books available for travelers. And be sure to check with friends and relatives in the area in case they have memberships (or something comparable) that you can utilize while you’re staying in their fine city.
You don’t stay home all year, why should your coupons?